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PHILADELPHIA, PA – This evening, at approximately 5:20 P.M. ET, House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) will address the Democratic National Convention. Hoyer is serving as Parliamentarian of the Convention. The following is a transcript of his speech, as prepared for delivery.

“Good evening fellow Democrats and fellow Americans!

“I’m so proud to be addressing you here in America’s first capital, the home of Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and the birthplace of our Constitution. I’m proud to serve as the Parliamentarian of this Convention, and I’m proud to be here with the delegation from the great State of Maryland!

“We’re here to nominate Hillary Clinton because of her ability, her experience, and her vision for our country. We’re also here to show America why Democrats up and down the ticket are ready to lead.

“Over the past eight years, President Obama and Vice President Biden worked hard to help Americans emerge from the economic collapse ushered in by Republican policies. For the first two years of his Administration, President Obama had a Democratic Congress that was committed to doing its job and rescuing our economy. Millions of Americans worked hard and tightened their belts, they persevered and never gave up. And with help from the recovery programs we enacted, America has come back. We know, however, until opportunities come back for every American, there is more to be done.

“But since Republicans took control of the House of Representatives in 2011, they have told the American people: ‘you’re on your own.’

“To hardworking immigrants and DREAMERs; to LGBTQ Americans; to women demanding equal pay; to parents asking for affordable child care and paid family leave; to millions who have health insurance for the first time through the Affordable Care Act – Republicans have said: ‘you’re on your own.’

“But we say: you’re not on your own. We’re in this together. Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine and Democrats in Congress will always be on your side because we believe that we are ‘stronger together.’ And we’re running together to renew faith in government and help all our people Make It In America.

“In his speech to the Republican Convention last week, Speaker Ryan said that this election ‘comes down to a contest of ideas.’ He’s right. But we’ve seen the disastrous results of Republican ideas. And we’ve seen what they can do to our economy and security.

“And that is why we must elect Hillary Clinton as the next President of the United States.”